Centre for Human Systems

Human Systems are organisations of People, Process and Technology. They serve many human interests, including Defence, Security, Education and Business. The development and operation of these systems depend upon a wide range of expertise, from the art of strategy, leadership, creativity and communication skills, through to analytical science, engineering and information technology. The way in which the various aspects of Human Systems work together governs the effectiveness of the whole.

The Centre for Human Systems brings together the many disciplines which address different aspects of People, Process and Technology. With this multidisciplinary approach and a focus on a collective human purpose, human systems can be designed harmoniously, exploiting the unique value that humans and technology can each bring to system capability, while allowing for people's natural behaviour rather than train against the grain.

Through research, consultancy and teaching, the Centre for Human Systems provides an understanding of the issues and methods for designing and operating Human Systems. Specific topics include:

Understanding the Human: Organisational, social and cultural issues. Group dynamics. attitudes, expectations and assumptions. Cognitive capabilities, intuitive and analytical thinking, human attributes, skills, competencies, education and training. Influencing human behaviour, optimising human performance. Interactions between people and technology.

Methodologies for Human Systems: Socio-technical methods, design for engineering, art and science. Process design. Use of simulation, modelling, operations analysis, trials, experimentation, analysis, expert judgement, observation, assessment. Systems thinking. Needs and requirements. Exploitation of information, technology, and human attributes.

Human Factors in Systems Engineering: Management, Processes and Techniques for Human Factors Integration across the CADMID Cycle; Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics; Human Performance. Technology insertion.

H Rowbotham Memorial Prize for Human Factors Integration

Centre for Human Systems Mission

To be a world-leading centre of excellence in the understanding of the issues and methods for developing and operating Human Systems

Centre for Human Systems Key Objectives:

To achieve and maintain a leading role in the development and application of human systems methods to enhance defence, security and other domains.
To increase awareness of the spectrum of human issues, and their associated challenges, within military and other systems through education, debate, research and publication.
To develop and promote best practice in the management of human issues within engineering and capability development
To develop knowledge, methods and tools to support a systems-based understanding of human and technical interdependencies.